{
  "id": 5862001,
  "title": "Gafni, Maklev to leave Knesset as ultra-Orthodox Degel HaTorah party refreshes lineup",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/gafni-maklev-to-leave-knesset-as-ultra-orthodox-degel-hatorah-party",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T23:46:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-907655"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Rabbi Dov Lando, spiritual leader of the Degel HaTorah faction of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party, informed MK Moshe Gafni and Rabbi Uri Maklev that they will be leaving the Knesset. Lando explained that the decision was made due to the need to refresh the party's presence in the Knesset. Degel HaTorah's chairman, Moshe Gafni, will remain in his position despite his departure. The two members have been in the spotlight recently due to their support for the controversial Basic Law: Torah Study bill. This bill asserts that Torah study is a fundamental value in Jewish heritage and Israeli society. The bill was passed in July with a majority of 63 to 52 votes. In May, Rabbi Lando had indicated that Degel Hatorah members could work towards dissolving the Knesset due to disagreements over the haredi conscription bill. This ultimately led to tensions between Lando and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as the potential dissolution of the Knesset.",
  "summary": "Lando cited the need to \"refresh\" the party's presence in the Knesset as the reason for the two members' departures and requested that Gafni remain the party's chairman.",
  "key_points": [
    "Rabbi Dov Lando informs MK Moshe Gafni and Rabbi Uri Maklev of their departure from the Knesset.",
    "Degel HaTorah chairman Moshe Gafni retains his position despite leaving the Knesset.",
    "Ultra-Orthodox party refreshes lineup amid disagreements over haredi conscription bill."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The shake-up in Degel HaTorah's Knesset lineup likely aims to ease tensions with Prime Minister Netanyahu and may signal a party shift on haredi conscription.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "Haredi shakeup: Gafni, Maklev reportedly ousted from Degel HaTorah slate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/haredi-shakeup-gafni-maklev-reportedly-ousted-from-degel-hatorah-slate",
        "published": "2026-09-05T21:41:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Veteran Haredi MK Moshe Gafni to be removed as leader of UTJ’s Degel HaTorah faction",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/veteran-haredi-mk-moshe-gafni-to-be-removed-as-leader-of-utjs-degel",
        "published": "2026-09-05T23:19:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}